Sir Samuel Mbitc JBafcer 589 



There was something pathetic in the woman's voice 

 which attracted him ; he went up to them and invited 

 them to accompany him to Sandford Orleigh, where he 

 was at that time entertaining a large house party. The 

 guests happened to be all out, and on their return to 

 Sandford Orleigh with Lady Baker they were consider- 

 ably surprised to find their host waiting upon the two 

 way-worn, shabbily dressed singers, serving them with a 

 substantial tea and talking away to them in his very 

 best style. When the two queer visitors had gone some- 

 one ventured to express astonishment at his asking two 

 tramps up to the house. " Ah ! well, never mind," said 

 Sir Samuel, with his winning smile, " I think they have 

 had a happy afternoon, and I daresay that's what they 

 don't often have." 



In his latter years he suffered greatly from gout which 

 interfered sadly with his sport, but he invariably spent 

 the winter somewhere in southern latitudes where he 

 could find game worthy of his rifle and gun. In 1893, 

 contrary to his usual custom, he decided to spend the 

 winter in England. Up to the middle of November he 

 enjoyed excellent health, but he then caught a chill out 

 shooting which developed into a serious chest affection. 

 There followed angina-pectoris, and the end came 

 swiftly. He died on December 3Oth, 1893, in his 

 seventy-third year. 



Sir Samuel Baker was a sportsman of the heroic 

 type. He liked to meet his quarry on fair terms, and 

 revelled in 



The stern joy which warriors feel 

 In foemen worthy of their steel. 



